UHCL unveils new options for international students
For international students at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL), new changes and opportunities are now available.
Prior to February 2020, student visas only allowed international students to take one online course a semester. However, because of the global COVID-19 pandemic, UHCL has made the decision to move courses online through at least the summer.
“We have informed all of our international students, while the university is only in online mode, their visa status will not be impacted by being online,” said Gigi Do, assistant vice president of global learning and strategy and senior international officer.
Expanded online course load
UHCL is implementing a new program for future international students. While it is unknown when the state of Texas will continue issuing visas for international students, those who commit to attending UHCL will be allowed by the university to stay in their home country and take a full course load online for the fall 2020 semester.
“We made it possible for them so that the first semester, they can stay in their country and take the courses,” Do said. “They can start on their classes now until the visa situation is lifted. These students can still feel confident they can still get a UHCL degree.”
Virtual internships available
With the presumed delays in visa and online practical training (OPT), UHCL’s Office of Global Learning and Strategy (OGLS) and Office of International Admissions and Programs (OIAP) announced a new virtual summer internship for current international students.
“All of the international students currently enrolled, they have the opportunity to apply for this virtual internship for a small stipend, we will assign a research project to work with our domestic and global partners,” Do said. “That way, they could do research and learn some professional skills that could enhance their resume and at the same time, when they are ready for an actual internship in the future when we all come back, the summer hasn’t been a waste for them.”
Summer internship available
In addition to a summer internship opportunity, UHCL is offering further economic help in the form of scholarships.
“We look at where the challenges [are] and we try to find solutions to that, so we know every student is going to be impacted [by COVID-19], so we do set aside some scholarships that would offset that for the students,” Do said.
Do said international students should take advantage of the scholarship opportunities provided by UHCL.
“We have a portion of scholarships that are geared towards international students,” Do said. “Current international students can apply for the Hawk Scholars and incoming international students will also be able to apply for certain scholarships that will offset their cost as well.”
If an international student receives the Hawk Scholars scholarship, they benefit from having reduced tuition.
“If any student qualifies, you will get $1,000 scholarship and for students who are out-of-state or international, your out-of-state tuition gets reduced to in-state tuition,” Do said.
Hunter Hall
Matthew Perry, director of student housing and residential life, said Hunter Hall will provide housing for international students and continue to focus on the health and safety of students and workers.
“Student Housing and Residential Life continues to remain open to offer housing for UHCL students, for the duration of summer,” Perry said. “Our staff will wear masks, offer hand sanitizer at the front desk, and provide the utmost care for students. In addition, we have a close working relationship with Facilities on campus, to help ensure we maintain a safe and healthy living environment in Hunter Hall. The health and safety of our students remain our top priorities for summer.”
Perry said the international students living in Hunter Hall are doing well and are remaining connected.
“Our community of international students living in Hunter Hall is small, yet engaging,” Perry said. “From using the Patio Café to making their own food in the community kitchen, our international students stay both engaged and connected.”
Offices remain open virtually
For international students currently enrolled, UHCL’s OIAP and OGLS implement new strategies to make sure their students feel like the offices are open even if the campus is closed.
“All of our advisors and counselors, we do webinars,” Do said. “We do these every two weeks where we go over all of the changes and all of the opportunities [we are offering]. UHCL is one of the best institutions that provide the holistic sense of care for all of their students.”
All international students interested in scholarship opportunities or the virtual summer internship should contact Johna McClendon, director of international admissions and student services by emailing mcclendonj@uhcl.edu.
